Mouthful: Sebastopol film fest tribute to Les Blank

Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival: Don’t forget; it all takes place this weekend at several venues. This year’s highlight is a tribute to Les Blank, who passed away in 2013, and a screening of several of his films, including “Garlic Is As Good As Ten Mothers,” “Gap-Toothed Women,” “J’ai Ete Au Bal,” “Marc and Ann,” “Burden of Dreams,” and “Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe.”

Other highlights include “Kumu Hina,” an exploration of a transgender hula teacher’s search for love and acceptance; “Unwinding: Fisherwoman of Ireland” and “After Auschwitz,” a short film about the preservation and conservation of the former Nazi concentration camp, along with dozens of other intriguing documentaries.

For a complete schedule, including times and venues, visit sebastopolfilmfestival.org.

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Food, Art, Poetry & More in Healdsburg: Art of Gastronomy opened last week at the Healdsburg Center for the Arts (130 Plaza St.) and continues through April 18, with a juried exhibition, readings, and special events.

This Saturday, March 28, from 7 to 9 p.m., a number of local authors will participate in a reading of prose and poetry that focuses on their gastronomical explorations and adventures. Admission is free and the event takes place in the gallery, in the midst of the visual exhibition, which features 111 works by 72 artists from around the country.

On Saturday, April 4, Anne Cornell, chef at Relish Culinary Adventures, will host a hands-on class entitled “Beautiful and Delicious Hors d’Oeuvres.” The class will focus on the art of presentation and how it impacts flavor and our perception of it. Cost of the class is $120, which includes three glasses of wine. Space is limited so if you want to participate, register right away. Participants must be 21 or over.

There are several other events scheduled, including a closing tea on the final day of the exhibition, April 19, from 2 to 4 p.m.

On Saturday, April 11, from 6 to 8 p.m., “The Once and Future Pantry,” which includes the unveiling of the Magic Pantry Apron, is on the schedule and will be conducted by yours truly.

All events except the cooking class are free but because space is limited; you’ll need to RSVP. To do so, visit healdsburgcenterforthearts.com, click through to the Art of Gastronomy and reserve your spot.

The gallery is open Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is closed on Tuesday.

The project has been curated by artist Cheryl Itamura of Santa Rosa, whom you can reach at cheryl@peachfarmstudio.com. For information about the center, contact Diana Jameson at info@healdsburgcenterforthearts.com.

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An Easter Option: On Easter Sunday, April 5, Rocker Oysterfellers Kitchen and Saloon is offering a special two-course menu for $32 per person and $10 for kids 10 and under, served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Both courses offer several options, with such highlights as Dungeness Crab Cakes, Eggs Benedict, Pulled Lamb Tostadas, Smoked Trout Salad, Fried Chicken and Waffles and more.

Special cocktails are on the menu, too, including a Green Tomato Bloody Mary.

Following brunch you can explore the property, searching for hidden eggs, each containing a special treat. A dozen golden eggs will have a very special surprise inside.

Rocker Oysterfellers is located at 14415 Highway 1 in Valley Ford. For reservations, call 876-1983 or visit rockeroysterfellers.com.

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Spring at Shed: Healdsburg’s Shed (25 North St.) is offering a free tonic demonstration on Saturday, March 28, at 11:30 a.m. On Sunday, March 29, Amber Hasselbring of Nature in the City will host a workshop about wildlife gardening and how to bring pollinators into your garden. The workshop gets started at 1 p.m. and cost is $20.

Next Saturday, April 4, at 10 a.m., Nick “Chicken Guy” Rupiper will teach you what you need to know and do to have your own little backyard flock of hens. Cost is $30.

To register for a workshop and explore other events, visit healdsburgshed.com.

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November Butterfly, March Presentation: This Sunday afternoon, March 29, the Occidental Center for the Arts welcomes “November Butterfly,” a multimedia presentation by poet Tania Pryputniewicz, who grew up in Sonoma County and now lives in San Diego.

As Pryputniewicz reads from her recently published collection of poetry, there will be a simultaneous video presentation of poetry films and photography based on the book by her collaborator, Robyn Beattie, and accompanied by an original score. A number of Sonoma County artists will participate in special one-afternoon-only exhibit during the event.

If you’ve not yet visited the Occidental Center for the Arts, which has both a gallery and a fabulous performance space with great acoustics, this is a perfect time to discover it. Admission is free and refreshments, including beer, wine, soft drinks and nibbles will be available for purchase.

The center is located at 3850 Doris Murphy Court, just north of the intersection of Bohemian Highway and Graton Rd.

For more information, call 874-9392 or visit occidentalcenterforthearts.com.

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Medicinal Plant Workshops: In April, Arlene Frances Center and Rainbow’s End Farm present a series of Saturday classes that focus on a wide range of topics related to medicinal plants.

The first class takes place on Saturday, April 4, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.. Highlights includes two lecture on herbal tonics, one by Nan Koehler of Rainbows’ End and one by Dierdre Davis There will be a video presentation by Juliette deBaerbali-Levy, as well.

On April 11, there will be video presentation by Michael Tierra and two lectures on bitters by Nan Koehler and Jane Straight. The third class, held on April 18, features an all-day exploration of ceremonial herbs, with singing, chanting and the building of a sweat lodge.

The series wraps up on April 25, with a focus on aromatics.

Each class begins with an introductory circle, a potluck lunch and a closing circle. In addition to the specific weekly themes, participants will also explore the power of sound, plant identification, plant chemicals, linguistics and plant intelligence.

Prices for each class are $25 to $50; you may register for any number of classes you like.

To sign up, email earthtribe12@yahoo.com. Location and other details will be provided.

Michele Anna Jordan has written 19 books to date, including the new “More Than Meatballs.” Email Jordan at catsmilk@sonic.net. You’ll find her blog, “Eat This Now,” at pantry.blogs.pressdemocrat.com